Flush valve assembly for tank

ABSTRACT

A tank has an outlet valve which is elevated above a valve seat by a flush mechanism, and an upwardly extending pipe attached to and movable with the outlet valve. After the tank is flushed, the tank is refilled via liquid entering through an inlet valve until the liquid level reaches a predetermined level and overflows into the pipe triggering a link which results in closing the inlet valve. The invention has particular utility in conventional toilet water tanks but may also be used in other applications in which accumulation and discharge of a predetermined volume of liquid is desired.

nited States Patent 1191 Hollander m 3,810,261 1451 May 14, 1974 FLUSHVALVE ASSEMBLY FOR TANK Primary Examiner-John W. Huckert [76] Inventor:Kurt W. Hollander, Box 693,

Annapolis, 21404 Assistant ExammerStuart S. Levy Attorney, Agent, orFirm--Laurence, Laurence & 22] Filed: Nov. 8, 1971 Neilan [21] Appl.No.: 196,696

' [57] ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl 4/41, 4/60, 4/65, A tank has an outlet valvewhich is elevated above a 4/67, 251/294 valve seat by a flush mechanism,and an upwardly ex- [51] Int. Cl. E03d 1/36, Fl6k 31/52 tending pipeattached to and movable with the outlet [58] Field of Search 4/29 323-3, 34, 41, 52, valve. After the tank is flushed, the tank'is refilledvia 4/57 P, 58, 60, 65, 67 A, 67 R; 251/294; liquid entering through aninlet valve until the liquid 73/296; 1 16/1 18; 222/64, 65 level reachesa predetermined level and overflows into the pipe triggering a linkwhich results in closing the [56] I References Cited inlet valve.

UNITED STATES PATENTS The invention has, particular 'utility inconventional 897,116 8/1908 Ludewig 4/41 toilet water tanks but may alsobe used in other 1,596,12l 811926 Ryan 251/294 applications in whichaccumulation and discharge of a 1,640,947 8/1927 Lockhart 4/41 Ipredetermined volume of liquid is desired. 1,606,278 11/1926 Wheaten,Jr. 251/294 2,512,694 6/1950 Stout et al. 4/52 7 Claims, 2 DrawlngFigures 20 (f 24 l 22 ,1 54 58 26 t 2 3 A, h g LEVEL I.- 38 M x q a T d1 \A x a a A I 1 3Q a 3 34 E g a BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The presentinvention relates to apparatus for accumulating and subsequentlydischarging a predetermined volume of liquid from a tank. The inventionis particularly useful in connection with flushing conventional toiletwater tanks or commodes.

In an ordinary toilet installation. the toilet bowl is flushed byraising a valve closure from its seat within the toilet water tank toallow water to flow from the tank to the bowl. A hollow metal floatwithin the tank is connected to the inlet valve to open this valve whenthe water level recedes and subsequently to close the inlet valve whenthe tank is refilled to a predetermined level. While this system isfairly reliable particularly when first installed, it is known that thissystem is not fully satisfactory and that there is a need for an im'.

proved, compact and more reliable flush system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a primary object of the present inventionto provide an inexpensive, novel and improved flush valve assembly fortanks. Another principal object of the invention is to provide such aflush valve assembly which has a minimum number of parts most of whichare not in contact with the liquid in the tank and which is more compactthan typical prior art systems. Another object of the present inventionis to provide a flush valve assembly which obviates the need for metalfloats and the associated linkages present in many prior art systems.

The novel apparatus of the invention may be incorporated into aconventional enamel toilet tank either as an initial installation or asa replacement for a used defective valve unit. The apparatus of theinvention includes an outlet valve which preferably takes the form of arubber plug which is normally sealed against an annular valve seat inthe bottom-of the tank. A generally vertical light weight pipe isattached to the upper periphery of the outlet valve and extends upwardlyto just above the desired water level in the tank. The customary handleon the outside ofthe commode actuates a control rod which elevates theoutlet valve above its seat in order to discharge water intothe toiletbowl This control rod preferably extends downwardly through the lightweight pipe into engagement with the outlet valve. The outlet valve maybe of the type which provides for automatically reseating the valve whenthe rate of liquid outflow is sufficiently reduced. Alternatively, aknown time delay spring actuated device may be used to reseat the outletvalve.

Provision is made to open the tank inlet valve either simultaneouslywith the opening of the outlet valve which is sized to enable aconsiderably greater volumetric rate of flow than that through the inletvalve, or the inlet valve may be opened when the outlet valve closes.

With the outlet valve closed, the tank is refilled with water enteringthrough the inlet valve until a predetermined level is reached whichlevel is set by a notch in the light weight pipe. A small amount ofwater overflowing through this notch or hole falls upon a control linkand depresses it. This movement of the control link actuates amechanical linkage which closes the inlet valve. The small amount ofliquid which flows into the vertical pipe is discharged through anopening in the outlet valve plug into the outlet line. In the event offailure of the inlet valve to be properly closed off, the water willoverflow into the vertical pipe which in this case serves the dualfunction of being an overflow pipe.

While the present system does not eliminate all mechanical linkages, itreduces their number to one per control element, and all linkagesheretofore employed infconjunction with the now eliminated float arealso eliminated.

The control linkages of the invention may be provided either above thenormal water level or enclosed within the vertical pipe. Thus. the onlyparts of the system normally contacted by the liquid are the outersurfaces of the outlet valve plug and the vertical pipe. For thisreason, the system of the invention may be utilized to store anddischarge other liquids which might be corrosive or otherwisedetrimental to the flush system parts. For example, with only minormodification of the system, the tank may be utilized aboard ships to usesea water as the flushing liquid. For example, a suction pump might beprovided to fill the tank through the inlet valve.

Although the invention is being described primarily in conjunction withits application in a toilet water tank, other applications of theinvention exist such as for gravity feeding of water into preheaters forboilers in order to assure automatic maintenance of water between twothreshold levels from a single low level triggering signal. When usedfor the automatic dispensing of liquids, the predetermined volume ofliquid to be dispensed may be adjusted by changing the vertical pipe oradjusting its length.

Other objects, features and advantages of this invention will becomemore apparent as this description proceeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a part perspective, partsectional view of a presently preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a view on an enlarged scale of the mechanism for actuatingcomplete closure of the inlet valve.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1, referencenumeral 10 designates a toilet water tank or commode containing thenovel flush valve assembly of the present invention. An outlet valve 12which has the form of a rubber plug is normally seated in an outletvalve seat 14 in the bottom of the tank. A lightweight verticallydisposed pipe 16, which may be made of a suitable inert material such assheet metal or a synthetic plastic such as polyvinyl chloride, is bondedto the upper periphery of the valve 12 and the upper end of the pipeextends above the normal water level in the tank.

In order to flush the tank, a conventional handle 18 on the outside ofthe tank is swung through approximately in customary fashion from thedashline position shown in FIG. 1 causing a corresponding clockwiserotation of a generally horizontally disposed control tube 20.

The control tube is disposed within a stationary cylindrical housing 22and a chain 24 which is attached to the control tube 20 extendsdownwardly through an opening 26 in the bottom of the housing 22 and isattached to the upper end of a control rod 28. The lower end of thecontrol rod terminates in a loop 30 which engages the hooked end 32 of arod 34 which is connected to the outlet valve 12. In this fashion,rotation of the control tube via the handle 18 causes the chain 24 to bewound upon a portion of the control tube, and consequently elevatescontrol rod 28 which causes elevation of the outlet valve 12 and thepipe 16 so that the tank is flushed through the outlet opening in valveseat 14. The flow of water or other liquid out of the tank hassufficient force to prevent the valve 12 from reseating itself until thetank is nearly empty and the rate of flow is appreciably decreased. Thisarrangement for an outlet valve is known per se.

In the illustrated embodiment, opening of the outlet valve to flush thetank also results in the opening of an inlet valve 36 so that watercommences to flow into the tank through an inlet pipe 38. The mechanismfor opening the inlet valve will be described in detail hereinafter.Since the diameter of the outlet opening through valve seat 14 isconsiderably larger than the diameter of inlet pipe 38, liquid flows outof the tank at a much faster rate than fresh liquid enters the tankthrough the inlet pipe 38.

Once the outlet valve 12 has reseated itself in valve seat 14 at the endof a flush operation, the water level within the tank rises until itreaches the level of an opening 40 near the upper end of pipe 16. Theopening 40 is shown in the form of a notch extending downwardly from theupper periphery of the pipe but can also be in the form of an openingthrough the wall of the pipe. A small amount of water now flows throughopening 40 and falls onto a plate 42 which is disposed upon a lever 44.As seen in greater detail in FIG. 2, the right hand end of lever 44pivots about a pin 46 which is mounted in a mass of resilient material48 such as rubber. The other end of lever 44 is pivotally connected atpivot 50 to a vertically disposed control lever 52. In known fashion,for example, by the use of counterweights, the system is designed sothat only a small amount of water falling upon plate 42 is required toswing lever 44 downwardly about pin 46 thereby imparting downward motionto the control lever 52.

As seen in FIG. 1, a fixed support arm 54 depends downwardly from thestationary housing 22. A twoarmed lever having a short arm 56 and a longarm 58 is attached to the support arm 54 at a fulcrum 60. The free endof the long arm 58 is pivotally connected to a lever 62 which regulatesthe position of the inlet valve 36. The short arm 56 is pivotallyconnected to the upper end of the control lever 52 so that downwardmovement of the control arm as the result of liquid flowing throughopening 40 causes the two-armed lever to rotate clockwise about fulcrum60 causing an upward movement of the lever 62 resulting in the inletvalve 36 being moved to a closed position to prevent the flow ofadditional liquid through inlet pipe 38.

The water which flows through opening 40 before the inlet valve isclosed falls to the bottom of pipe 16 and passes through holes 64 in theoutlet valve 12. Pipe 16 may also function as a safety feature since inthe event of any malfunction of the inlet valve, water will overflowfrom the tank into the pipe and out through openings 64 for subsequentdisposal into the toilet bowl, and then into the discharge pipe from thebowl which is normally connected to a sewer line.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, in

lieu of opening inlet valve 36 simultaneously with opening outlet valve12, the system could be modified to provide for opening the inlet valveonly after the outlet valve has closed.

While presently preferred embodiments of the invention have been shownand described with particularity, it will be appreciated that theinvention is not limited to the specific details of the illustrativeembodiments. For example, while the description has referred primarilyto toilet water tanks, the principles of the invention are applicable tothe accumulation and controlled discharge of numerous fluids. Also, inlieu of actuating the flush cycle via a handle at the outside of thecommode, the invention could be utilized in a toilet installation inwhich a flush cycle is commenced via upward movement ofa toilet seatafter use as is the case with some pay toilets. It is intended toencompass all changes and modifications as fall within the scope andspirit of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus comprising a tank for storing a liquid, means fordischarging a liquid from said tank including an outlet valve positionedin a valve seat disposed adjacent the bottom of the tank, control meansconnected to said outlet valve to open said outlet valve to commencedischarge of liquid from said tank, an upwardly extending pipe disposedin said tank, said pipe adjacent its upper end being provided with anopening at a desired normal liquid level in said tank, an inlet valveregulating flow of liquid into said tank, and inlet control means forclosing said inlet valve when the normal liquid level in the tank isreached, said inlet control means being actuated by flow of liquidthrough said opening in said pipe when the normal liquid level in saidtank is reached in order to close said inlet valve.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said pipe is connected tosaid outlet valve and is movable with said outlet valve, and saidcontrol means including a control rod extending longitudinally withinsaid pipe, and connected to said outlet valve.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said control means furthercomprises a handle disposed on the outside of said tank and connected toa horizontally extending rotatable control tube, said control rod beingconnected to said control tube and elevated by rotation of said controltube.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising stationary housingmeans extending into said tank and disposed around said control tube,fulcrum means attached to said stationary housing, and said inletcontrol means including lever means movable about said fulcrum means.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said housing means and saidfulcrum means are positioned above the normal liquid level in said tank.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said inlet control meansinclude plate means disposed within said pipe below said opening in saidpipe in a position to be contacted by liquid which flows through saidopening.

connected to said plate means.

1. Apparatus comprising a tank for storing a liquid, means fordischarging a liquid from said tank including an outlet valve positionedin a valve seat disposed adjacent the bottom of the tank, control meansconnected to said outlet valve to open said outlet valve to commencedischarge of liquid from said tank, an upwardly extending pipe disposedin said tank, said pipe adjacent its upper end being provided with anopening at a desired normal liquid level in said tank, an inlet valveregulating flow of liquid into said tank, and inlet control means forclosing said inlet valve when the normal liquid level in the tank isreached, said inlet control means being actuated by flow of liquidthrough said opening in said pipe when the normal liquid level in saidtank is reached in order to close said inlet valve.
 2. Apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein said pipe is connected to said outletvalve and is movable with said outlet valve, and said control meansincluding a control rod extending longitudinally within said pipe, andconnected to said outlet valve.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 2,wherein said control means further comprises a handle disposed on theoutside of said tank and connected to a horizontally extending rotatablecontrol tube, said control rod being connected to said control tube andelevated by rotation of said control tube.
 4. Apparatus according toclaim 3, further comprising stationary housing means extending into saidtank and disposed around said control tube, fulcrum means attached tosaid stationary housing, and said inlet control means including levermeans movable about said fulcrum means.
 5. Apparatus according to claim4, wherein said housing means and said fulcrum means are positionedabove the normal liquid level in said tank.
 6. Apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein said inlet control means include plate means disposedwithin said pipe below said opening in said pipe in a position to becontacted by liquid which flows through said opening.
 7. Apparatusaccording to claim 6, wherein said inlet control means further comprisea control lever having one end extending longitudinally within said pipeand connected to said plate means.